Biden: Voters are with Dems

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Vice President Biden urged Democrats Friday to take the fight to the Republicans this election year, as he argued voters were on the party's side on crucial issues.

Addressing House Democrats gathered on the Eastern Shore for their annual issues conference, the vice president said voters agree with Democrats on almost every major issue being debated in Washington, from the minimum wage, to early education, to immigration reform and tougher gun laws.

With that in mind, Biden said he's optimistic about the party's chances of taking back the House this year, and called on the lawmakers to get aggressive in their messaging campaigns.

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“Keep your eye on the ball,” he urged. “The American people are where we are. Let's go out and make every single effort, not just to defend, but to aggressively push … our agenda.

“They are with us,” he added, “and I'm sure as hell glad I'm with you.”

Democrats would need to win 17 seats to take back the House, a tall order in a midterm election for the president’s party.

Obama’s sluggish approval ratings aren’t helping their odds, and the retirements of longtime Reps. George Miller (D-Calif.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), both allies of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), have sent the signal that Democrats’ aren’t optimistic about their chances.